Lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike have rejected an invitation from Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that he must follow the right process before they can agree to meet with him.
The lawmakers who are led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, criticized the governor for sending the invitation through social media instead of a formal channel.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. at the Government House, was meant to address issues such as providing a sitting space for the Assembly, clearing outstanding allowances, and presenting the 2025 budget.
However, the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers have said they will not attend unless Fubara meets their conditions.
Akuku-Toru Constituency 2 representative, Isaiah Opuende, was one of the most vocal critics of the governor’s approach. He accused Fubara of disrespecting the lawmakers by sending the invitation online.
“How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids,” Opuende said. “The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
He also reminded Fubara that he had previously told them to “dey your dey,” meaning they should stay on their own.
“Well, now our own time to ‘dey our dey’ has come,” he added. “Dey your dey make we dey our dey.”
Meanwhile, there is a viral video which shows former local government chairmen who served under Wike mocking Fubara over the invitation.
One of them, former Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, was seen dancing and singing alongside others, chanting: “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
This growing resistance signals deeper political divisions in the state.
The lawmakers have been in a long-running battle with Governor Fubara. Following the recent legitimacy accorded then by the Supreme Court, they quickly resumed legislative activities and demanded that the governor present the 2025 budget and nominate new commissioners. They argued that those currently in the cabinet had no legal backing.
Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday. However, the state government did not respond to these demands. Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, explained that the government was waiting for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment before making any moves.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and published in national newspapers the following day.
Following the release of the CTC, Fubara’s administration took a step toward reconciling with the lawmakers. Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, formally wrote to Speaker Amaewhule, inviting the lawmakers to a meeting with the governor.
The letter, titled “Meeting between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” outlined key discussion points, including provisions for a legislative space and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
